I find the forum most informative and addictive . to be able to access so much info from members is a unique priviledge , not to mention the rest of the website .I have no doubt irritated some people to the point of them leaving , and I can say the same of certain members , but this forum would develop into total chaos with members jumping to conclusions about their (mis?)interpretations of some writings .Without the benefit of being to be able to see each others facial expressions and hear voice intonations it is not strange that there is so much potential for conflict , so the moderators are an indispensable part of the forum .

KNP is sacred.I am opposed to the modernisation of Kruger and from the depths of my soul long for the Kruger of yesteryear! 1000+km on foot in KNP incl 56 wild trails.200+ nights in the wildernessndloti-indigenous name for serval.

Where else can you talk/read about conservation, KNP & other parks, camps, roads, most memorable experience, what reminds you of Kruger, family rituals, sightings, experiences, memories etc...without boring someone to tears. People who have not been exposed to SANPARKS, or have but do not enjoy it do not seem to understand our excitement, passion and love for it.

In the short time I have been part of this forum, I have learnt so very much from alot of forumites, had a good couple of laughs at the humor that is abundant here, and always find myself loging off with a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart.

Thank you to all.

As for the negative.....the people on this forum all have one thing in common,... a love and passion for nature and the conservation thereof, for their favourite park/camp/road, the african bush, the people. Call it a family of people who share a common passion, and as in any family there will be conflict but we somehow manage to live with it.

On a forum of this magnitude, rules are a must

As ndloti put it so well

ndloti wrote:, but this forum would develop into total chaos with members jumping to conclusions about their (mis?)interpretations of some writings .Without the benefit of being to be able to see each others facial expressions and hear voice intonations it is not strange that there is so much potential for conflict , so the moderators are an indispensable part of the forum .

Glen 79 -You said it so well in post above.I have found nothing but friendliness. reassurance and kindness since being here - and yesthere have to be rules that is what makes the forum such a wonderful place to be. (feel sorry for the mods sometimes though )On the down side I am totally addicted to the forums now and cant remember what life was like without my daily 'fix'.

My reason for being on the forum...Is my love for nature, I would give up everything to be in and around nature 24/7..so much that I have signed up on courses that are related to wildlife and the likes.The other reasons why I am here, meeting up with other people (even if it is mainly online) that have the same beliefs and feelings for earth & it's natural enviroment. This is a place where you learn and pick up tips from the experienced and knowledged persons within the industry...a place where being friendly is of true nature.

A big up to all the mites on the forum for making it a pleasant site to be a part of

Life is what we make of it..we can not control what happens in our lifebut how we handle it.

bentley wrote:My reason for being on the forum...Is my love for nature, I would give up everything to be in and around nature 24/7..so much that I have signed up on courses that are related to wildlife and the likes.The other reasons why I am here, meeting up with other people (even if it is mainly online) that have the same beliefs and feelings for earth & it's natural enviroment. This is a place where you learn and pick up tips from the experienced and knowledged persons within the industry...a place where being friendly is of true nature.

A big up to all the mites on the forum for making it a pleasant site to be a part of

I fully agree with you. There are very few forums so "into" nature as this one and where you can find all you need to know with a simple clic with great members around the world ready to help, inform and advice.I'm connected continously and find something to read, learn and see everyday, thank you all.

"You can leave Africa but Africa never leaves you"LIFE IS MADE OF GOOD AND BAD THINGS, I TAKE THE GOOD AND YOU CAN KEEP THE BAD!!!Andy Benaglia

i joined the forum to learn about things that i would have not learnt if i never joined this forum. Also for my love of animals. And to study and see what animals yet i have not known before. South africa is one of the best places in the world to find animals. i think its an extradinary chance to have a forum to talk to about these magnificent things about this world of ours.thank you for having this thread

I came onto the SANParks website last February to check out the camps etc for our June trip. When I came back from holidays I came onto the website to find out how to say a "thank you" to the park for keeping things going so well - discovered the forums and started reading. (And completely did'nt do what I first came on for. )

Since then I pop in most days but have recently been a bit more active with quizzes etc. I enjoy reading what some people have to say and learn a lot.

I've been around on different forums for many many years. For me the best way is to read everything and if something annoys me or I disagree with it, go off and write a response elsewhere. Park it for an hour and go back and read it again - I then ask how would I feel if that was directed at me? In most cases I end up junking what I wrote and then get on with the rest of the enjoyable reading.

“ Every year elephants were becoming scarcer and wilder south of the Zambezi, so that it had become impossible to make a living by hunting at all. ” FC Selous 1881

And it's a bit like game viewing - you never know who or what is just around the corner when you log in.

Timepilot, I like your philosophy about giving yourself time to cool off before posting about stuff that makes your blood boil.

I got on here through a friend. Other friends, during my last trip to South Africa, told me the forum was all about people complaining about the parks and each other. I've been pleasantly surprised to find that the majority of posts seem to be positive - mostly people helping each other out. I think that's great.

Also it's nice chat with people who know that the S100 isn't a type of car or submarine.